European Ombudsman Special Report to the European Parliament concerning Frontex refusal to introduce an internal complaints mechanism

The Special Report, seeking the support of the European Parliament, arises because Frontex rejected one of the Ombudsman’s recommendations. The Ombudsman conducted an investigation into the compliance of Frontex with human rights obligations under Regulation 1168/2011/EU and the European Charter. The inquiry criticised Frontex for not establishing an internal complaints mechanism by which it could deal with individual fundamental rights breaches alleged to have occurred in the course of its work. Frontex has decided not to rectify this, arguing that hearing individual complaints is the obligation of the relevant individual Member State. The Ombudsman, joined by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), contends that Frontex shares this responsibility when the complaint concerns the ‘actions of staff operating under the Frontex banner’. Agreement on this is sought from the European Parliament.

Read the Special Report on the website of the European Ombudsman.

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